While the Los Angeles Dodgers expect the core of their roster and coaching staff to return in 2018, they’re left to fill multiple positions within their front office. Chief among them is finding a successor to Gabe Kapler, who was director of player development the past two years.
Kapler, a finalist in 2015 for the Dodgers’ managerial vacancy, was named manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. “I’m obviously very excited for Gabe,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“I think he’ll do a great job with that young group of players, a very talented group. As far as with respect to our farm system and the culture that he’s kind of instilled with the teaching, he’s really impacted the guys that are with us right now.
“It takes all of us, the farm system, baseball ops, scouting and obviously the Major League staff to accomplish what we’ve accomplished, Gabe and his staff have been a huge part of what we [had] this year.”
Kapler had strong ties to Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, who indicated last week the organization was in the early stages of finding a replacement.
“It’s a significant position in our front office,” Friedman said. “We’re starting the process of cultivating from external and internal candidates, and we’re figuring out when to start that. We’re also not in a rush, considering how big and significant the role is.”
Along with filling the void left by Kapler, the Dodgers are also in need of an assistant director of player development, as Jeremy Zoll accepted a position with the Minnesota Twins.
